LEGAZPI CITY — The United States Naval Ship, City of Bismarck, docked at the port of Legazpi City on Tuesday, bringing approximately 500 soldiers from multiple nations to participate in the Pacific Partnership 2024, a two-week humanitarian mission in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Pacific Partnership 24-2 mission commander, the mission underscores the ongoing cooperation between the participating countries and Legazpi City's medical and disaster relief teams. "It's wonderful to return to the Philippines, where we look forward to training alongside the citizens of Legazpi City's medical and disaster relief personnel," Keeler remarked. This year's mission will run from July 30 to August 14, 2024.
The Pacific Partnership, initiated in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in 2022 and continued in San Fernando City, La Union in 2023, is recognized as the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. The program seeks to enhance multinational cooperation and is structured around a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach. This involves collaborations with partner nation militaries, host nation civilian agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the US State Department, and various branches of the US military.
Ship Master Chris Jackson highlighted the versatility and readiness of the USNS City of Bismarck, stating, "Combining the expertise of professional mariners with the skills of our Pacific Partnership forces makes the USNS City of Bismarck a ready and versatile asset to respond to any humanitarian assistance or disaster relief scenario."
Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal noted in an interview that the soldiers, hailing from the USA, Japan, and Korea, will engage specifically in the rehabilitation of historical school buildings originally constructed during the American era. She clarified that the mission is solely humanitarian and will not include any joint military exercises with Filipino troops.